Military Chain of Command 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for the geographic area assigned to a combatant commander?
- Theater of operations
- Area of Responsibility (AOR) (Correct answer)
- Joint operations area
- Operational boundary
Correct answer: Area of Responsibility (AOR)
An Area of Responsibility (AOR) defines the geographic region a combatant commander is accountable for.
Question 2: A soldier who disagrees with a lawful order should:
- Refuse to carry it out and file a complaint
- Execute the order and use proper channels to address concerns afterward (Correct answer)
- Go directly to the Inspector General immediately
- Ask peers for a vote on whether to comply
Correct answer: Execute the order and use proper channels to address concerns afterward
Soldiers must execute lawful orders and may use proper grievance channels afterward to address disagreements.
Question 3: Which senior military advisor does NOT have command authority under the Goldwater-Nichols Act?
- Geographic combatant commander
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Correct answer)
- Theater Army commander
- Joint task force commander
Correct answer: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the principal military advisor to the President but is not in the operational chain of command.
Question 4: What distinguishes 'administrative control' (ADCON) from 'operational control' (OPCON)?
- ADCON covers combat operations; OPCON covers logistics
- ADCON covers support functions like training and administration; OPCON covers mission employment (Correct answer)
- They are interchangeable terms
- ADCON applies only to reservists
Correct answer: ADCON covers support functions like training and administration; OPCON covers mission employment
ADCON covers administrative and logistical support functions, while OPCON focuses on directing forces for operational missions.
Question 5: Which level of command is typically led by a lieutenant colonel?
- Division
- Brigade
- Battalion (Correct answer)
- Company
Correct answer: Battalion
A battalion, consisting of three to five companies, is typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel (O-5).
Question 6: What must a service member do if ordered to carry out an unlawful order?
- Comply without question — all military orders must be followed
- Comply but document the order for future reference
- Refuse the unlawful order (Correct answer)
- Ask a legal officer to decide within 24 hours
Correct answer: Refuse the unlawful order
Service members are legally and morally obligated to refuse unlawful orders, regardless of who issues them.
Question 7: Which document outlines a commander's goals, intent, and priorities for subordinates to act within?
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Operations Order (OPORD)
- Commander's Intent (Correct answer)
- Fragmentary Order (FRAGO)
Correct answer: Commander's Intent
Commander's Intent succinctly states the desired end state so subordinates can exercise initiative when circumstances change.
Military Chain of Command 5
What is the term for the geographic area assigned to a combatant commander?